Product classification

HS code for Spent lead-acid batteries: 8549.11

Waste and scrap of lead-acid accumulators, spent lead-acid accumulators.

Classification of spent lead-acid batteries under HS 8549.11

Spent lead-acid batteries are classified under HS code 8549.11. This classification was established to specifically address the growing trade in electrical and electronic waste and scrap. Heading 8549 was introduced in the 2022 HS nomenclature to consolidate various types of electrical waste that were previously scattered across different chapters. Subheading 8549.11 is dedicated to waste and scrap of primary cells, primary batteries, and electric accumulators, specifically those of the lead-acid type. To fall under this code, the batteries must be "spent," meaning they are exhausted, worn out, or otherwise unfit for their original purpose and are typically intended for the recovery of lead or for disposal. This classification is vital for compliance with international environmental treaties like the Basel Convention. The classification follows GIR 1, as the heading text explicitly describes waste and scrap of electric accumulators. It is distinct from functional used batteries, which might still be classified as articles under 8507 if they are being sold for reuse rather than as scrap.

Covers
  • Used lead-acid car batteries intended for recycling
  • Spent industrial lead-acid accumulators
  • Scrap lead-acid batteries from uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)
  • Damaged or leaking lead-acid battery cells
  • Waste lead-acid batteries from telecommunications equipment
Also under 8549.11
  • Exide Technologies spent batteries
  • Johnson Controls (Clarios) used batteries
  • East Penn Manufacturing scrap batteries
  • Yuasa spent industrial batteries
  • Optima Batteries waste

Codes often confused with 8549.11

Common mistake. Before 2022, these were often classified under 8548.10, but that code has been deleted in many jurisdictions in favor of the 8549 series. Another common misclassification is 7802.00, which covers lead waste and scrap. While lead-acid batteries contain lead, they are complex assemblies of lead, plastic, and acid, and the specific heading for battery waste (8549.11) takes precedence over the general metal scrap heading (7802.00) per GIR 3(a).

85.49Electrical and electronic waste and scrap7802.00Lead; waste and scrap

Top exporters and importers of HS 854911 (the code used for spent lead-acid batteries), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 854911 (the code used for spent lead-acid batteries) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 46% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 26% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Figures cover everything classified under HS 854911, not only spent lead-acid batteries.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 United States $640M
  2. 2 France $96M
  3. 3 Canada $78M

World total: $1.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 South Korea $519M
  2. 2 India $518M
  3. 3 Mexico $465M

World total: $2.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

How these figures are built

109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).

Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.

Brazil NCM code for spent lead-acid batteries

Brazil classifies spent lead-acid batteries under NCM 8549.11.00: HS 8549.11 with 00 added.

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about spent lead-acid batteries

What is the HS code for Spent lead-acid batteries?

The HS code for Spent lead-acid batteries is 854911 (Waste and scrap of lead-acid accumulators; spent lead-acid accumulators). The HS code for spent (waste and scrap) lead-acid batteries is 8549.11.

How do I classify Spent lead-acid batteries for customs?

Spent lead-acid batteries is classified under HS code 854911 — Waste and scrap of lead-acid accumulators; spent lead-acid accumulators. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Are functional used batteries classified here?

No, if a lead-acid battery is still functional and intended for reuse rather than recovery of materials or disposal, it should be classified under HS code 8507.10.

Which countries are the top exporters of spent lead-acid batteries (HS 854911)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 854911 (the code used for spent lead-acid batteries) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($640M, 46% of world exports), France ($96M) and Canada ($78M). World exports came to about $1.4B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Which countries are the top importers of spent lead-acid batteries (HS 854911)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 854911 (the code used for spent lead-acid batteries) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($519M, 26% of world imports), India ($518M) and Mexico ($465M). World imports came to about $2.0B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Is the HS code for Spent lead-acid batteries the same in all countries?

The base HS code 854911 for Spent lead-acid batteries is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.

What is the NCM code for spent lead-acid batteries in Brazil?

In Brazil, spent lead-acid batteries (HS 854911) is classified under NCM 8549.11.00.